Origins of Religion

Overview

This lecture explores the origins of religion, examining evidence from prehistoric times through the Neolithic period and discussing why early humans engaged in religious practices.

Prehistoric Origins of Religion

• Religious belief predates written history, with evidence of early practices from as far back as 60,000 BCE.
• The Paleolithic Period (2.6 million–10,000 years ago) provides the first clear signs of religion, especially in the Upper Paleolithic era.
• Burial practices with grave goods suggest belief in an afterlife and developing funerary rituals.
• Notable graves like the Sunghir site in Russia (30,000 years old) show elaborate burials with beads, carvings, and ochre.

Early Religious Art and Artifacts

• Venus figurines (40,000–10,000 years ago) are small statuettes with exaggerated female features, possibly linked to fertility or protection.
• Cave paintings may reflect spiritual beliefs or shamanistic practices, often depicting powerful animals or anthropomorphic figures.
• "Lion Man" sculpture (about 40,000 years old) is an early example of therianthropic (human-animal) religious imagery, suggesting belief in supernatural beings.

The Neolithic Revolution and Religious Structures

• Göbekli Tepe (ca. 10,000 BCE, Turkey) is considered the world's first temple, built before agriculture by hunter-gatherers.
• The site features carved stone pillars, animal motifs, and evidence of ritual, possibly including animal sacrifice.
• The scale and organization needed for Göbekli Tepe imply religion played a key role in uniting communities.

Functions and Evolution of Early Religion

• Animism, attributing consciousness to natural elements, was a common belief among early humans.
• Religious practices helped explain natural phenomena, death, and provided comfort in uncertain environments.
• As agriculture developed, religious focus shifted to fertility, mother goddesses, and ancestor worship.
• Shared religious beliefs reinforced social bonds and group identity.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Paleolithic — The Old Stone Age, marked by the first use of tools.
• Grave Goods — Objects buried with the dead, indicating belief in an afterlife.
• Venus Figurines — Prehistoric statuettes of women, associated with fertility.
• Animism — The belief that natural objects possess a spiritual essence.
• Therianthrope — A being that is part human and part animal.
• Göbekli Tepe — Ancient ceremonial site considered the earliest known temple.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Review key archaeological sites: Sunghir, Göbekli Tepe, and Lion Man.
• Prepare notes on the functions of early religious practice for discussion.
• Read about the transition from animism to organized religion in agricultural societies.